Perioperative management of antithrombotic therapy: a case-based narrative review.

The periprocedural management of patients who are receiving vitamin K antagonists, direct oral anticoagulants and antiplatelet therapy is a common and challenging clinical scenario as the decision to interrupt or continue these medications is anchored on patient and procedure-related risks for bleeding and thrombosis. Adding to the complexity of clinical management is the fact that anticoagulants have varied pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties and indications for clinical use. In many minimal-bleed-risk procedures, anticoagulants can be safely continued, without interruption, whereas in cases where anticoagulants cannot be safely continued, the timing of interruption and resumption, as well as the need for heparin bridging requires consideration.

Landmark trials in thrombotic vascular disease: a critical appraisal of potential practice-changing trials in 2016-2017.

Recent years have witnessed an onslaught of large, multicenter, randomized controlled trials evaluating the prevention and management of thrombotic vascular diseases. While these trials have applied rigorous methodology to pragmatic and clinically relevant questions, several important gaps in knowledge remain. In this review, we critically appraise landmark studies in thrombosis published between 2016 and 2017 that address several ongoing areas of clinical uncertainty.

The 2016 American College of Chest Physicians treatment guidelines for venous thromboembolism: a review and critical appraisal.

The American College of Chest Physicians recently updated their practice guidelines for the treatment of patients with venous thromboembolism, comprising deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The 2016 guidelines represent the tenth iteration of these guidelines, which are widely used, and are considered as the reference standard for practice guidelines related to venous thromboembolism. The objectives of this review are to highlight the key recommendations that are new in these guidelines, to address recommendations that may be considered controversial, and to touch on areas of ongoing research that may better inform some of these recommendations.